08:53 AM EDT, 08/15/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures posted narrow gains ahead of Thursday's opening bell as traders digested a deluge of economic data, including reports on jobless claims and retail sales.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gained 0.4%, S&P 500 futures increased 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures were up 0.3%.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 1.1% at $80.61 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude up 1.2% at $77.88 per barrel.

New jobless claims, released at 8:30 am ET, fell to 227,000 in the week ended Aug. 10 from 234,000 in the prior week, compared with estimates compiled by Bloomberg for an increase to 235,000 claims. Retail sales rose 1% in July following a 0.2% decrease in June, compared with estimates for a smaller 0.4% gain.

The Empire State Manufacturing index came in at minus 4.7 for August following July's minus 6.6, compared with estimates for minus 6.0. Import prices increased 0.1% in July against estimates for a 0.1% downtick, while export prices rose 0.7% versus estimates for a no change.

Industrial production, slated for 9:15 am ET, is expected to fall 0.3% for July following a 0.6% increase in June.

Business inventories, due at 10 am ET, are expected to rise 0.3% in June. Forecasters see the US housing market index coming in at a 43 level for August against 42 in the preceding month.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.8% higher, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 0.02% lower and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.9% higher. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 gained 0.2% and Germany's DAX index increased 0.4% in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, shares of Walmart ( WMT ) were 8% higher pre-bell after the retailer posted fiscal Q2 revenue that topped analysts' estimates and raised its fiscal year 2025 adjusted profit guidance. Cisco ( CSCO ) shares increased 7.7% after the company reported fiscal Q4 adjusted profit and revenue that topped analysts' estimates. Ulta Beauty's ( ULTA ) stock was 11% higher after Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) disclosed it acquired a stake in the company.

On the losing side, Titan Machinery ( TITN ) shares slumped more than 25% after the company reported preliminary Q2 earnings and revenue that missed market expectations and lowered its fiscal 2025 profit outlook. Spire Global ( SPIR ) shares fell more than 25% after the company disclosed a delay in the filing of its Q2 report on Form 10-Q.